Recruitment process

ACT Fire & Rescue conducts recruitment selection processes periodically. Firefighters are usually trained in groups of 16 and recruitment processes typically select 16 candidates to commence training as 4th Class Firefighters in training. Further candidates may also be identified and offered employment in the following 12 months if sufficient vacancies are identified.

Selection uses Internet technology to the maximum extent possible.

The following items and selection stages will be managed online and by e-mail:

• Application
• Communication with applicants (up to but not including offers of employment)
• Notification of invitation to attend for testing or interview
• Candidate self-booking for test sessions or interview.

Traditional means of lodging applications, communication, invitation and booking is available if required at all stages of the selection process.

Recruit selection

The recruitment process is managed by a contracted recruitment agency. Applications will be invited from persons seeking employment as Firefighters. Advertisements will be placed in the Canberra Times, on this website, www.jobs.act.gov.au and the website of the contracted recruitment agency.

After applications close, all applications will be assessed for eligibility.

Qualifying applicants will be invited to attend a cardiovascular challenge test known as a ‘BEEP test’. This test consists of a shuttle run, where a level of 9.6 must be obtained. Information about Beep test can be found on the internet.

Candidates who attain 9.6 in the beep test will continue to the next stage; an aptitude test session. This session lasts 3-4 hours and includes tests of a range of skills including verbal, numerical, mechanical and abstract reasoning and spatial relations. Candidates will also be required to answer questions relevant to the selection criteria at this time. Aid memoirs are not permitted in the testing environment. (No computers mobile phones, notes, etc will be permitted).

Candidates who reach a predetermined level in the aptitude tests are then shortlisted on the basis of CV and the responses to questions asked during aptitude testing.

Suitable candidates are then invited to a thorough physical aptitude test (PAT) and assessment centre activities including teamwork exercises.

Formal interviews and psychological testing will also be conducted.

The field of candidates may be reduced at each of these stages until, following the final assessment; 16 candidates will be offered employment, further candidates will be ranked and may be offered employment within the following 12 months.

Offers of employment will be subject to favourable medical and psychological checks.

Full employment application instructions will be available prior to commencement of the 2012 recruitment process.